Cannot open audio CD

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I am running Windows 7 Professional on a Dell Inspiron 620 computer. All updates have been applied.

My problem is that I cannot open my DVD/CD drive when an AUDIO cd is in it. I have no problem opening (and playing) a DVD or data CD.

The error message I receive when attempting to open AUDIO cd is: “windows cannot access the specified device, path or file. You may not have the appropriate permissions to access the item.”

The only way I can open an audio cd is by using Windows Explorer. Attempting to open in My Computer also generates the error message.

I CAN open an audio cd when in safe mode.

I have searched and searched, tried many things and am totally stumped! Disabling antivirus and anti-malware has no effect. Microsoft fixit did nothing. Resetting using regsvr32 wmp.dll did nothing.

I shall appreciate any suggestions or advice in this matter.

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Is this all audio CDs or one?

Joe

--Joe

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As you can open it in Safe Mode then try it in a clean boot as it may be something you have installed which is causing a conflict.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

The Win 7 section is lower down the page, but try it with just the items under the Startup tab disabled first before you go trouble shooting the non-MS services.

Here are some other Fixits http://www.free-codecs.com/microsoft_fix_it_download.htm

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This problem exists with all audio cd’s, store bought or homemade on this computer.

I will try the clean boot approach and advise my findings.

Thanks for the assistance.

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I have performed a clean boot and run the Microsoft Fixits and have no success.

I am beginning to believe that solving this problem IS rocket science!

Thanks for the suggestions.

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…. I cannot open my DVD/CD drive when an AUDIO cd is in it. I have no problem opening (and playing) a DVD or data CD…. I CAN open an audio cd when in safe mode….

If it works in Safe Mode then presumably something is loading in normal mode that is blocking audio CDs from playing.

Copy protection? Seems unlikely.

Have you installed anything sound related lately whether hardware or software/drivers?

What is in your startup folder?

What non-MS services are running?

Do you use WMP to play audio or something else?

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Are you using iTunes, as that has been known to be problematic at times and would be isolated in Safe Mode.

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Try installing VLC: http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-windows.html

Jerry

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I do have ITunes installed but never play music with it. Only use is to backup IPhone and IPad. Looking at processes and services, the only instance shown was ITunes Helper which I ended the task. No effect.

I have VLC Media Player installed and just tried to open it. I get error message “Your input can’t be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL ‘dvd:///D:/’. Check the log for details.”

I wonder if there is some connection here.

I have uninstalled and re-installed Windows Media Player with no difference noted.

More confusion!!!

Thanks to all who have responded and to those will in the future.

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What does the VLC log say ?

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I do not find the VLC log in the VLC directory. Where else should I look?

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I do not find the VLC log in the VLC directory. Where else should I look?

This is the clearest info I can find – http://forum.videohelp.com/threads/317508-Where-is-the-VLC-Log

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Thank you, Sudo15. Instructions at the link given worked. Here are contents of log:
core debug: no art finder modules matched
core debug: art not found for dvd:///D:/
dvdnav warning: cannot open DVD (D:)
dvdread warning: cannot open VMG info
core debug: no access_demux modules matched
core debug: creating access ‘dvd’ location=’/D:/’, path=’D:’
core debug: looking for access module matching “dvd”: 21 candidates
core debug: no access modules matched
core error: open of `dvd:///D:/’ failed
core debug: dead input
core debug: changing item without a request (current 1/2)
core debug: nothing to play
qt4 debug: IM: Deleting the input

Related to Windows problem???

Again, many thanks for your assistance.

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I suppose the trick now is to understand what that means and why it will only open in Safe Mode, although it shouldn’t play because audio is disabled in that mode.

Can you go Start – type autoplay and press enter then use the dropdown to associate a program with playing audio CDs and is the autoplay box ticked.

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Sudo15, thanks again.

VLC Media Player is not really an issue for me. I seldom (if ever) use it.

Windows Media Player is my choice. I am not at all certain that the problem lies with Windows Media Player. To recap: using the desktop icon for the DVD drive I can open and play a DVD. I can open a data cd. I CANNOT open an Audio cd, either commercial or homemade. When making this attempt I receive the error message regarding not having sufficient permissions.

Autoplay is enabled for all media and devices.

Windows Media Player is selected as program to open audio cd, enhanced audio cd and audio files.

Safe mode: Double clicking desktop icon DOES open disk. Of course in safe mode, no sound is heard.

SFC /scannow – I ran it 3 times and each time it reported corrupted files. Analyzing the CBS log, the file is mmc.exe. There are several instances of this file, and reported error is hash mismatch.

Workaround: I CAN open the drive using Windows Explorer. I can doubleclick on any one of the cda files and it plays (with Windows Media Player.) I CANNOT open the drive in MY Computer.

Needless to say, the problem has got me wigged out!

Thanks again for you assistance.

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To check if it is an Permissions issue, activate the hidden admin account with this elevated command and the reboot cmd and then see if the audio CD will open/play.

net user administrator /active:yes

shutdown /r /t 00

That will put an admin icon on to the desktop with which you log in with.

If that still fails and it is a mmc.exe problem then see if this cmd will do anything for you or let us know what it reports.

regsvr32 mmcndmgr.dll

If it works using the hidden admin account then go to http://www.tweaking.com and run the Windows Repair program in Safe Mode with Networking, working your way through the Options as necessary.

While the program does have the ability to create a restore point and back up the registry, I prefer to create a full system image onto external media before running major programs, but this program has been known to have been used by MS techs when they were stuck.

I’m not sure if the program can do anything for the mmc.exe corruption, but you could give it a run anyway although from what I’ve seen, the only fix reported so far has been a repair/reinstall of Win 7.

Run SFCFix.exe which will give a more concise report. https://www.sysnative.com/niemiro/apps/SFCFix.exe

To disable the hidden admin account when done (recommended), redo the cmd changing active:yes to active:no

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Thank you again, Sudo15.

I have completed each of the steps that you outlined and sadly, the problem still exists. However, sfc.exe reports that the mmc.exe problem was fixed. I have not yet run sfc scannow to verify but will do so shortly.

Incidentally, I did not find a desktop icon after running net user administrator /active:yes and
shutdown /r /t 00. However, at login, there was an administrator opportunity and I was able to login accordingly. Did I miss something?

After running the tweaking program, all my many desktop icons were scrambled, and rather than go through all the rearranging, I simply restored to image backup made just before starting the troubleshooting process. I then re-ran sfc.exe to obtain the fix for mmc.exe.

I will post results of the sfc scannow activity later today.

Once again, many thanks for your continued support in this quest for a solution.

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I have completed the run of sfc /scannow and the results are: “no integrity violations.” Apparently the mmc.exe hash mismatch issue is corrected.

Many thanks for this tool.

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Yes, the admin icon doesn’t appear on the desktop until after the reboot which is why I included the reboot cmd.

Did you run the tweaking.com program while logged in with the hidden admin account as the hidden admin account can rearrange the icons anyway.

Were you able to open the CD in the hidden admin account and could you open it after running the tweaking.com program ?

Do you still get the same errors in the VLC log ?

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Did you run the tweaking.com program while logged in with the hidden admin account as the hidden admin account can rearrange the icons anyway.
Yes I did.

Were you able to open the CD in the hidden admin account and could you open it after running the tweaking.com program ?
No, I could not open it in either case.

Do you still get the same errors in the VLC log ?
Yes, errors are the same.

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Does Event Viewer record anything for around the time when you try to open it – Reliability history may also have something.

Does the CD work as it should on another machine if available ?

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The event viewer does not record anything regarding attempt to open cd. Reliability history does not reflect the problem.

I am able to play the CD on my Windows 10 desktop computer.

Continuing thanks, Sudo15.

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In Control Panel/System and Security/Find and fix problems/View all – there are three WMP trouble shooters – have you tried those ?

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I continue to be grateful for your assistance.

I have now run the three troubleshooters and the results are:
DVD – no problem.
Windows Media Player Settings – configuration settings might be set incorrectly
Fix applied: reset to default
Windows Media Player Library – media library is corrupted. This might affect ability to browse and search media files on computer.
Fix applied – none given

Where do I go from here?

Again, many thanks.

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Did you run those with the CD in ?

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Yes, I did.

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The Windows Repair program at http://www.tweaking.com has a repair CD/DVDs not working but I don’t think will fix your problem – but it has a series file association fixes.

While the program auto backs up your registry before running the repairs, there’s no harm in creating your own external system image first.

It’s advocated that you run it a second time after the restart after the first run and run this program in Safe Mode as your AV program can get in the way.

I don’t know what else to suggest as you have already run the MS “fixes” and MS techs have been known to run this program when they are stuck.

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Again, Sudo15, Thank you very much for your capable assistance.

I will rerun the tweaking program (2 times) and will also execute the CD/DVDs not working. At this point I am willing to try anything.

Since my post earlier today, I have re-run the Microsoft troubleshooter and continuing I receive under Windows Media Player settings that configuration setting might be set incorrectly. I allowed a reset to default, rebooted and re-ran troubleshooter. Same message.

Under Windows Media Player library, I continue to get message that media library is corrupted.
I researched how to correct this, deleted the appropriate files and rebooted. Allowed Windows to rebuild the library. Same error.

I un-installed Media Player and rebooted. Re-installed Media Player and rebooted. Same error.

I would pull my hair out, but it has been done previously!:mad:

I will post update when completed.

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“There is no joy in Mudville — mighty Casey has struck out!”

I have run Windows Repair Program two (2) times and the situation is unchanged…error message when trying to access cd drive while audio cd inserted.

It is inherently NOT my nature to be a quitter, but I see little choice. I do not intend on re-installing Windows 7 Professional in order to attempt to correct the problem, but it may be that is the only way.

Sudo15, thank you for patiently directing my attempts and for providing some valuable resources.

Should anyone have additional thoughts, I am most receptive to them.

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I do not recommend opening audio CD’s. They contain nothing inside and certainly do not have a delicious liquid center.

Thtpptthhpth!

:o:

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I do not recommend opening audio CD’s. They contain nothing inside and certainly do not have a delicious liquid center.

Thtpptthhpth!

:o:

I’m sure Charlie will appreciate your helpful post :rolleyes:

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It’s a life dedicated to service. Though the burden is heavy I dedicate myself to the greater good and share my hard-won knowledge!
:^_^:

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Since you’ve tried everything else, you might as well try (1) a different SATA port, (2) a different SATA cable, and (3) a different CD drive. Try each one of these changes one at a time, in the order I have listed them.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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